Will ‘Cam Newton Drive’ be intercepted?
Cam Newton might have more success getting a street named after him in Auburn. (AP photo)
While it might not be as bad as, say, Nick Fairley Boulevard, the proposal doesn’t sit well with some of the residents of the road. As critics have pointed out, even though Newton played high school ball at nearby Westlake High, he played college ball at Auburn and now plays for the Carolina Panthers, a division rival of the Falcons.
According to a story last week by the AJC’s Johnny Edwards:
Several longtime residents of south Fulton’s Scarborough Road are irked that the county wants to change their street name in honor of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who has family living there. At a public hearing last week, neighbors said it would cost them money to change their personal records, and that Newton, age 23, is too young to have a thoroughfare named for him. One woman invoked Newton’s theft arrest [when he was at Florida] and allegations that his father solicited money from a university recruiting his son.
South Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards said personal attacks on Newton’s family aren’t warranted, that he’s a Westlake High alumnus who “beat the odds,” and if residents don’t want Cam Newton Drive, the name will stay the same.
The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road.
What’s your view: Change the street to Cam Newton Drive or retain Mr. Scarborough’s name?
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186 comments Add your comment
Scam Newton
July 24th, 2012
2:31 pm
I should add… the session ended after an hour because nobody else wanted to pay $150 for the hoodrat’s autograph.
madrussian
July 24th, 2012
2:37 pm
Here’s an idea, how about named the street after somebody who has actually contributed to something in society. Maybe a firefighter that gave his/her life to save someone or a teacher that dedicated their life to helping young people. Wait, I’m thinking logically. An athlete is what we should choose because he’s done so much already. When he wins four Superbowls and couple of MVPs bring this back to the table. Until then, he’s just another player trying to make it in the pros. Nice priorities for those that think this is a good idea.
mike
July 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
wow…”you people” are still bringing up mike Vick’s name!!?? Geez you people are d-bags. Im willing to bet each and every one of you has a family member that has had legal trouble. Go and talk about them! They probably care at least…..
I don’t think Vick will lose any sleep while you losers rehash something from 5 years ago. GROW UP!
Jay
July 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
Hey Jeff….the most famous person from College Park…don’t think so…take a look at this list:
Morgan Burnett, safety for the Green Bay Packers
Tameka Cottle, member of singing quartet Xscape and wife of rapper T.I
Bill Curry, football coach and analyst, currently head coach for Georgia State University
Creflo Dollar, teacher, pastor, and founder of World Changers Church International
Keyaron Fox, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ludacris, rapper
Yung Joc, rapper
Monica, R&B singer
Mr. Collipark, record producer
Cam Newton, quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, 2010 Heisman Trophy winner[21]
Greg Patton, quarterback at Dartmouth College, broke the single-game rushing record in his first varsity appearance[22][23]
Playaz Circle, rap group
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks basketball player
Fletcher Thompson, politician
2 Chainz , rap artist
DAWG
July 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
Let me get this straight, he is not a hero of any war in which I served during Vietnam and apparently has a lapse of memory concerning money. The people of Fulton County need their heads taken out and tested. I am glad I am my sixties and old school and realize when it is appropriate to name a street in the honor of a real hero. The world we live in is going to hell in a hand basket.
Joe Jackson
July 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
He has cheated and he has stolen. Not to different than a lot of the politicians that live in the jurisdiction so I guess they relate to Cam well. It is bad enough to drive on 285 and see part of it named for Billy McKinney who was a racist and bigot and responsible for Cynthia McKinney for even being on this planet. Don’t name anything after anybody until they are dead. At least then you know nothing is going to come back and bite you. Example; Joe Paterno
Drew Brees
July 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
It was never proven that Cam’s father solicited money from ANY SCHOOL, unless you consider the words two recruiters that didn’t get their bonus for recruiting cam as 100% honest!
mike
July 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
I bet if Cam were Blanco…would we be comparing him to Ben Rothlisberger? Probably not, all of you are perfect….
quanxavier
July 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
No offense to Cam Newton. How about we work on putting traffic lights on the dangerous intersections in South Fulton or better still working on bringing viable businesses there. It seems to me that Le Garden subdivision was a complete failure.
mike
July 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
I see all the haters are out as usual. So far they have brought up Mike Vick. Pastor Cecil and have called the man a thug. I like the post about blacks having to live on streets and in areas named after those good ole racists of the pasts. I never thought of it like that. I wonder how many haters live in that South Fulton area. Hey if they can elect a crook for a governor I have no problem with naming a street after Cam. They named a street and a city park after the gran wizard of the Stone Mountain KKK.
krasheed
July 24th, 2012
3:01 pm
Just because he can throw a football well does not earn him the privilege of a street name. There are many people from that SW community who have done well for themselves and their community. What about the doctors, contractors, lawyers, businesspeople, teachers, police officers and etc. who have raised families and stayed away from trouble. This young man may grow into a valuable member of our society, but not yet. Our politicians need to recognize that being able to throw a football well does not merit the privilege of a street.
RC
July 24th, 2012
3:02 pm
GO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!
Tag
July 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
Idolizing athletes at his age is insane!!!!!!!!
catfish252
July 24th, 2012
3:12 pm
Come back in 20-25 years after he has truly made his mark by contributing something to that area of Atlanta (supporting youth groups, funding scholarships,etc.). Playing H.S. football doesn’t qualify for the honor of having a road or park or any other piece of real estate named after you. Besides that his head is already too swollen, he could use a little humility.
Courtney
July 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Name it after Cam Newton? So it would be SCUMBAG Drive?
TCC91
July 24th, 2012
3:31 pm
Charlie Ward has a street named after him in Thomasville. It was welcome with open arms.
JB
July 24th, 2012
3:34 pm
@JayD – No, you do not “have to drive by natural wonders with racists carved on the side.”
You can simply move to another state, or even to SW Atlanta- where you can drive on beautiful MLK Blvd all around Spelman and Morehouse and other black historical places.
Lindsey
July 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
What a great idea, name a GA street after a Florida Gator-Auburn Tiger-Carolina Panther player. What a great example of honesty and character Cam is. Maybe the adjacent street could be called Mike Vick Road. Wonder if any pet owners would live on the street? Can’t believe there is even a hearing on this.
Falcons Fan
July 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
This is so stupid, who comes up with this crap? “Common sense” has some great points. Even though I hate Georgia…but I’ll let that one slide.
Samantha
July 24th, 2012
3:44 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That would be a slap in the face to Matt Ryan and all of the Failcant’s fans to name a street AFTER the Carolina Panthers Quarterback that has a huge ego! Too funny!
too tough 44
July 24th, 2012
3:47 pm
Yall face it….c newton there is corruption smell to him, his theft, his dad ha ( cam knew what was going on ..come on folks..wake up, I mean, come on man!). I would vote NO…
Mike
July 24th, 2012
3:59 pm
I’m not for naming streets after people but, if you are, I think it should be for someone who made the world or community a better place, someone who put others before him or herself and never sought attention or recognition for it. Does Newton meet that criteria?
ofcthrash
July 24th, 2012
4:02 pm
I think it’s a great idea! It would fit South Fulton perfectly…….name a street after a guy who was caught cheating in college several times, caught with a stolen computer, kicked out of UF and then had one great season at Auburn. What an outstanding person! How about renaming a road for every fallen soldier, fire fighter, police officer or anyone who has actually done something abnormally positive for his country or community, instead of naming it after a lying, cheating, thief, who probably has never done a selfless act in his life and has been given a million chances to correct his dishonest ways. There is more to life than being a natural athlete, but maybe not on the south side of Atlanta.
Mike
July 24th, 2012
4:02 pm
I guess South Fulton doesn’t have any more pressing needs that should be addressed if all the commission finds important is naming a street after someone.
Deacon Blues
July 24th, 2012
4:03 pm
Maybe they should ask Auburn & Coach Chizik to put in another $200k to cover the costs
ASHCAN!!!
July 24th, 2012
4:15 pm
I can’t believe this (oh yea in this world of what color is he or she i can) a blog on a possible street name of a person bring out hatred and harsh comments????? Wow, still petty.
mj
July 24th, 2012
4:16 pm
I think he should contribute more to his alma mater (Westlake HS) and have some of his endorsements made on his behalf to help the poor kids would mean more. The thought that he is charging people for his autograph tells more about his character than anything he (has or)will contribute to the game and society. He’s arrogant and self serving. I believe he is a more visible crook than Bill Edwards. I have worked at Westlake and he didn’t set the world on fire even as a student -back in high school before he became this “phenom” that everyone is talking about. Punk-ass kids grow up to become punk-ass adults without proper guidance and direction and shouldn’t be immortalized unnecessarily no matter what “odds”they have overcome. People wake up to something that’s real important (and necessary)
ASHCAN!!!
July 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
I will ask this question again, how would the name of a street effect you???? (Bloggers). If they ok the name of the street and you don’t like it, just don’t drive down the street.
WTF
July 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
who cares
ernisTbass
July 24th, 2012
4:21 pm
ain’t ” skid row” already taken
Amy
July 24th, 2012
4:25 pm
This has nothing to do with race. He cheated and stole in college, was nearly expelled from Florida, played a few good years of football, and is only 23. I had a better record than that at 23 and I even had a college diploma to show for it. He deserves nothing from our city.
What is the rush
July 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
Why not wait till he is eligible for the NFL HOF or until he has a storied career or does something overwhelming for society. There are plenty of regular joes who “beat the odds” but don’t have a road named for them. What a bunch of crap and a waste of money. Spend the money on education or roads or fixing the overflowing sewage in Fulton County.
R U NUTZ
July 24th, 2012
4:32 pm
Let’s give this joker MLK Jr’s street. That’s a man who gave the ultimate scarifice for his people and country who deserves his street name. Give me a break. Him and his family are clowns. They beat the system and not worked forthe system. Bunch of welfare babies. Let Carolina give him a street named after himon skid row.
Just the facts
July 24th, 2012
4:33 pm
The ignorance in these comments is staggering.
Newton was not caught stealing; he was not caught cheating; he was not kicked out of Florida. All of these facts are documented
The NCAA spent 13 months investigating Auburn’s recruitment of Cam Newton and declared that they could find no violations.
I don’t believe in naming roads or buildings for people at all, much less when they are this early into their life. It is better to wait until you can take full stock of someone’s life to determine if they are worthy of the honor.
Besides, I would think the tax dollars could be better spent elsewhere.
suggs
July 24th, 2012
4:40 pm
You deserve every non issue you get for living in the ATL.
Get Your Priorities Straight
July 24th, 2012
4:55 pm
I don’t have an issue with Cam Newton at all. But my problem with this is that there are WAY more serious issues to be addressed, instead of Fulton County wasting time, energy and money on renaming a street. Can we get potholes repaired on streets in a timely manner? Can we focus on traffic?
Amanda
July 24th, 2012
5:03 pm
All that kid needs is something to inflate his head more. He is obnoxious and way too full of himself. He was good in college, let’s see if he actually accomplishes anything else before naming a street after him.
Mortimer Cuthbert
July 24th, 2012
5:04 pm
This dbag Cam has a place in my buddy’s building in Buckhead. He is a huge a hole. He hits on people’s girlfriends in the elevator and says things to them like – “You coming to the party?” and the girls are like “What party?” and he says “The party in my pants.” What a d bag. Don’t name a street after this jerk!
TIredOfWaste
July 24th, 2012
5:05 pm
How can the area residents have voted for such an idiot as Bill Edwards to represent their area? There are so many problems and economic crisis at hand and your county commissioner has nothing more intelligent to propose than spending taxpayer money on this as well as wasting time on a hearing for such non-sense. Really, really pitiful. Find someone who is worth electing who might actually do something constructive for the citizens of the area.
Sara
July 24th, 2012
5:07 pm
What about the fact that he got kicked out of University of Florida for stealing a laptop? Why does everyone forget about this? He is not a good role model simply because he was good at a sport.
Mike Brown
July 24th, 2012
5:10 pm
To whom It may concern, Cam Newton doesn’t need a street name after him. First He didn’t even play football at a Ga Colleges. Next I am sick anf tried of Ga player’s leaving the state and come back home and wanting to be accept back. Surpport you local school first.!!! Next He doesn;t even play for the falcon Come on people stop it.
Bernie Matt
July 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
This is really not about Cam! Pretty classless all the people taking shots! Cam’s a very nice young man.
This is about an out of touch politician who is wasting tax payors money and time trying to garner favor with Cam’s dad! That’s it! I hope all the South Fulton residents who posted here will remember that at election time!
Mortimer Cuthbert
July 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
@Suggs, where do you live? Griffin? Covington?
JD
July 24th, 2012
5:27 pm
I personally don’t agree with renaming streets period. Not only is it a waste of taxpayer money but as others have said, the residents have to get all their personal things changed (checks, driver license, utility bills). It’s crazy. Just wait and name a new street after the person.
kandidkennie
July 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
I think It’s way to early for this to happen.
Mike
July 24th, 2012
5:45 pm
Has he accomplished anything of real significance? Winning a few football games is hardly reason to honor him. Maybe when he wins a Nobel prize or cures cancer……
James
July 24th, 2012
6:14 pm
Enter your comments here
James
July 24th, 2012
6:23 pm
Most of you people are ignorant. He deserves this honor first because he’s earned it. What notable accomplishment have you achieved? NONE. Most of you are small minded and jealous.
Walter Clyde Frazier is the greatest basketball player ever to come from Atlanta. He is a legendary NBA Hall of Famer. Do you think there is a street, school or a park named after him? NO. Why? Jealousy. Like Frazier, Newton will never be “good enough” for some of you people no matter what he accomplishes.
Plainsman
July 24th, 2012
7:11 pm
I’m all for it……best player money could buy!!!
Great Idea!!
July 24th, 2012
7:21 pm
What a fantastic idea!!! But since this avenue is on the south side of town, let’s call it South Cam Newton Drive. Then it could be abbreviated S.Cam Newton Drive.